Veggie Meatballs in BBQ Sauce

Veggie Meatballs in BBQ Sauce

2 - 3 cups textured vegetable protein* OR Soy Curls
4 cups water
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup oats, certified gluten-free
Generous dash of cayenne pepper
Juice of one lemon
2 Tbsp. flour (garbanzo/fava is my gluten free favorite)
1/2 cup pecan meal
2 Tbsp. tamari, wheat free
3 cloves garlic, crushed OR 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 1/2 Tbsp. chicken-style seasoning (McKay's or Bill's Best Chicknish)
1 1/2 cup bread crumbs, gluten free**
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped

In a saucepan, soak textured vegetable protein (or soy curls) in water to rehydrate. Add oats. Cook over medium heat until mixture reaches a slow simmer. Remove from heat. Add remaining ingredients. 

Prepare a large casserole dish or baking sheet with non-stick spray. Using a cookie scoop, portion small rounds of mixture onto casserole dish or baking sheet. Mixture should be firm enough that the mixture stays in a ball rather than flattening out when placed on baking pan. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 - 60 minutes. Makes about 75 meatballs.

BBQ Sauce

1 1/2 cups fresh tomato sauce
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
1/4 cup molasses
1 Tbsp. honey
4 tsp. tamari, wheat free
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. liquid smoke

Place all ingredients in saucepan and stir well. After combining, cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a simmer.

Before serving, pour warmed BBQ sauce over the meatballs (hot out of the oven). 

Enjoy!

*Textured Vegetable Protein is sometimes called TVP. It can be a gluten or  soy product. The soy version is readily available and is available for gluten-free vegetarians.  The light colored (chicken style) TVP generally does not contain gluten, but the dark (beef style) always does. Soy Curls can be used instead. They are a dehydrated soybean and work very well in this recipe. 

**Bread Crumbs: I used a store-bought, whole grain, gluten-free bread from Costco called Silver Hills brand.